For The Oakland Press / David Dalton
Swat team on the corner of Sprague and Minerva in Royal Oak.

Following a nearly six hour standoff, a 33-year-old man sought by police in a homicide in Franklin has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a home in Royal Oak.

In Franklin, investigators are working to learn what happened to a slain teacher.

Police announced that the body of Franklin resident Thomas Ian Matthews, who had been by himself inside of an acquaintance's home, was found shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday in Royal Oak.

Matthews was considered a suspect in the death of Franklin resident Harry Berkowitz, a longtime teacher at West Maple Elementary School in Bloomfield Hills. The school is part of Birmingham Public Schools.

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Watch coverage of the standoff on today's News at Noon.

Police and SWAT officers surrounded the home in the 2200 block of Sprague in Royal Oak after Matthews barricaded himself inside shortly before 10 a.m. Royal Oak officers were sent to the scene after learning that Matthews, who was wanted by the Franklin Police Department for homicide, had fled to the home.

Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue said the suspect was found dead on the main floor of the home, on a bed.

"We never had any contact with him," O'Donohue said, adding that police never had to fire any gunshots.

Daniel Nerad, superintendent of the Birmingham Public School District, confirmed Harry Berkowitz as the man who was found dead in his Franklin home Tuesday morning. He began his career as an educator in 1966.

The 47-year veteran of the school district was a full-time teacher who -- most recently -- worked as a reading support teacher, said Nerad during a conference.

"We deeply mourn the loss of Mr. Berkowitz," Nerad said. "It's very difficult when the schools suffer this type of loss -- very hard and unexpected."

The superintendent said the district would not be commenting on investigations into Berkowitz' death, saying, "questions about the police investigation (have) to go through the police department."

He added that Berkowitz "touched the lives of a lot of kids."

West Maple Elementary is a kindergarten through fifth grade school with about a 600-student population.

Dave Hogg, a freelance sports writer, was at the Royal Oak standoff near Minerva and East University avenues, just west of I-75 and Stephenson Highway.

"We can hear police talking to the man on a bullhorn but not what they are saying," said Hogg, who with 20 neighbors was waiting, kept about 100 yards from the police perimeter, earlier this afternoon.

An armored truck was at the scene, as well as Royal Oak police and EMTs and Southeast Michigan SWAT officers. The Oakland County Sheriff's crime lab was assisting in Franklin, while the department's special response team and its robot responded to Royal Oak after the possible suspect's car was found in the city.

"We had the house surrounded," O'Donohue said moments after the suspect's body was found.

"We cleared out a couple of the neighbors' houses to get a better vantage point."

The robot -- equipped with audio and video surveillance -- was able to clear the main floor and the basement before officers went in, O'Donohue said.

The chief would not speculate on the relationship the suspect had with the homeowner, but he did say that the homeowner was notified of the situation.

O'Donohue also declined to release any details about the Franklin incident, which is being handled by the Franklin Police Department.

The Franklin Village Police Department released a statement saying Berkowitz' death occurred in the 26000 block of Charles Lane.

"The death is suspicious in nature and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office is providing assistance in processing evidence at the scene," according to the release about the Franklin homicide.

Quicken Loans Chairman Dan Gilbert, who is working towards revitalizing downtown Detroit and owns the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, lives next door to Berkowitz' home, where a landscaping crew of about 10 was at work Tuesday afternoon.

Neighbors said Berkowitz was an elementary school teacher who was quiet and friendly, but "mostly kept to himself."

"He never really made a fuss or anything," a neighbor, a male in his 20s, said. "There were always cars in the driveway."

Another neighbor, a woman in her 50s, noticed a woman out front this morning on a cell phone crying next to the five police cars on the scene.

The neighbors described the upscale community as quiet.

A parent at Maple Elementary School who did not want her name released, said Berkowitz "was a wonderful teacher that cared deeply about the children."

The mother said Berkowitz had been at the school for many years and had been her son's teacher at one time.

As parents now try to find a way to explain why their teacher is no longer at the school, this mother said she does not want her son to know the details. The TV will be turned off, she said.

West Maple Principal Laura Mahler sent a letter home to parents of children who attend the school.

"(Berkowitz) was a longtime teacher in Birmingham at many elementary schools and we will miss him greatly," said Mahler in the form letter. "We have not shared this news yet with our students. We encourage you to talk with your child this evening in the way that you feel you need to."

The principal went on to say that the situation surrounding Berkowitz' death may precipitate increased media coverage, and she advised parents to limit their children's exposure to television and other news sources.

West Maple will have a team of counselors, social workers and psychologists at the school throughout the coming days to provide emotional support for students and staff.

Those with special concerns should call school officials at 248-203-5101.

School officials also listed techniques for parents in helping children cope with death:

- Tell the truth. Talk about death versus "going to sleep." Explain the situation.

- Allow for your child to talk about feelings. If this is the first loss your child has experienced, your child may not know how to respond and will be looking for your guidance.

- Affirm all expressions. It is okay to express feelings honestly. Tolerate the expressions rather than dismissing them or discouraging the expression of feelings.

- Encourage written expressions such notes, letters, pictures to the family etc.

- Reaffirm that your child is safe and that your child is loved.

- Affirm that your child's reaction is normal and you understand the way the child's feels.